Modulated radiator control



March 30, 1937. J. s. BAKER MODULATED RADIATOR CONTROL Filed Sept. 16;1952 @ma z Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES 2,075,160 MODULATEDRADIATOR CONTROL John S. Baker, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Cook ElectricCompany,-Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September16, 1332, Serial No. 633,421V

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a modulated radiator control adapted for usein air conditioning systems designed to furnish relatively uniform roomtemperature.

More particularly, this invention relates to a modulated radiatorcontrol adapted for use in air.

In air conditioning systems, as heretofore pro-` vided, it has beencustomary to locate the. room Vthermostat at a remote point with respectto the radiator so that all parts of the room will be 20 heated beforethe thermostat acts to cut ofi:` the heat. In air conditioning systems,forced drafts are utilized to bring fresh air into the room, but thisair is preferably rst heated by being vpassed through the radiator. Thedistance be- '25 tween the radiator and the room thermostat is, in thecase of passenger coaches of railroad cars, and other large rooms,relatively great, and consequently, the time required t lower thetemperature of that portion of the room having the 30 thermostat tocause the thermostat to supply heat is relatively too long to preventchilling of the room in the immediate vicinity of the radi ator. Whenthe heat is cut oif at the radiator,

' the fresh air will enter the room and rapidly.

35 chill the radiator. The fresh air will continue to flow in withoutbeing heated. It will be apparent, therefore, that this unheated freshair will appreciably affect the convenience and comfort of theindividuals in this vicinity. This in- 40 convenience and discomfort andduration thereof thermostat is awaiting a, drop in temperature in 50 itsvicinity before again operating to call for heat.

A further object of the invention resides in the specific form ofmodulated radiator control of the typementioned having two thermostats,one

55 of which is influenced by the room temperature,

(cl. 23e-37) and the other of which is inuenced by the radiator, so thatafter the room thermostat is satisfied and no longer calling for heat,the second thermostat operates to supply suiiicient heat to the radiatorto prevent the cold blast of fresh air. from unduly cooling the radiatorand chillingv that portion of the room.

It will be noted that one of the broad objects of the invention residesinproviding a modulated radiator control allowing acontinuouscirculation of fresh air in the room to prevent stratification, and yetobtaining a relatively uniform heating throughout without chilling thevicinity admitting the cold blast of fresh air, although the roomthermostat remains in a position not calling for heat for a considerableperiod of time.` Other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accom-V panying drawing which forms a part hereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates al modulated radiator control diagrammaticallyshown embodying theinn vention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of an electrically operated Valvewhich may be employed as a part of the modulated radiator control.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, I

lrepresents the front frame of a duct providing a ventilator opening 2having a radiator 3 xed therein through which a cold blast of fresh airis furnished by a fan t.

Radiator 3 is illustrated in conventional form. As shown, radiator 3comprises the headers ."7A having transverse tubes 6, there being anysuitable radiating means for distributing the heat, such as the ns 1.Headers 5 are connected with the intake and outlet pipe connections 8and 9.

Radiator 3 may be heated by any suitable medium, which may be in thiscase, steam or hot water, although it will be understood that myinvention may be incorporated in an air conditioning system employingvarious kinds of heating mediums, this depending, of course,- uponl thetype of system used. y Y

As specically shown, an electrically operated valve I0 is disposed inintake pipe 8 to control the now of the heating medium to radiator v3.Pipe I I connecting te the intake side of valve I0 represents anysuitable source of heating 'medium that may be employed.

An electric motor I2 isshown to operate valve I0. Although various formsof 'electric motors may be used, a. heat motor' isspecically vshowncomprising a chamber Il defined by a exible wall u and arma wail ls forcarrying asuitame volatile fluid, such as benzpl or toluene, capablevand radiator 3. Cooling of the volatile fluid in l chamber I3 allowsflexible wall I4 to expand and to tilt lever I1 in a. direction liftingvalve member 2| oiI its seat 22.

' A heating element 24 in the formv of a vertical tube 25 having aresistance coil 25 wrapped therel5 around furnishes sufficient heat toeffect the expansion of the'volatile fluid in chamber I3. Tube is closedat its upper end and communicates atits lower end with chamber I3 bymeans of a coupling 21` Suitable terminal bands 2 8 and 23 20 encirclevertical tube 25 and receive opposite ends of resistance coil 25. Aterminal block 30 may be supported by a bracket 3| for receiving wires32 and`33 connected to terminal bands 28 and 29. Wires 32 and 33 may beconnected-in 25 the circuit of a room lthermostat by means of 'saidterminal block 30 to which wires 38 and 39 run. i

It will be noted that valve member 2| isladapted to be seated when thecurrent flows throughresistance coil 26 to expand the volatile fluid and'the chamber I3. A portion of the volatile uid normally extends upwardlyin vertical 'tube 24 so as to be influenced by the heat effects of thecurrent flow through resistance coil 26 whereby out of the heatingzone'to limit the expanding action oi chamber I3.y Consequently, thecurrent may continuously flow through resistance coil 28 without further.eflecting the expansion of the volatile fluid after the volatile fluidhas been depressed out `of the heating zone.

Valve member 2| will accordingly unseat when -the current ceases to flowthrough the circuit. While I have described in detail the constructionand operation of electric motor I2,it is apparent to those skilled inthey art that any type of motor may be used to operate valve member 2 I.

A suitable room thermostat 35 is connected in the circuit of motor I2 bymeans of wires 36 and 31. Wire 36, together with wire 38, leads to asuitable source of current supply. Wire 38 may be connected to terminalblock 30, as shown in Fig. 2. Wire 31, together with a wire 39, connectsa second thermostat 48 inthe circuit of motor 2 and room thermostat 35.

Room thermostat 35 may be of any suitable construction which will closethe circuit upon a predetermined rise of temperature, and which willopen the circuit upon a' predetermined drop in temperature.

' A thermostat 48 is disposed in a position to be influenced by thetemperature of radiator 3|, as illustrated in Fig. 1. It may be of anysuitable construction, but preferably of the type which will mote toventilator opening 2 'is calling for-heat t and the circuitis open.Chamber I 3 will contract and hold valve member 2 l1 open. The heating'me- 5 dium will ow from 'source I I through pipe 8 and the level of thevolatile fluid may be depressed close the circuit upon a predeterminedrise of through the transverse coils 6 of radiator 3. The cold blast offresh air furnished by fan 4 will pass between coils 5 and. verticalfins 1 and be heated before entering the room. The fresh heated air willcirculate throughout th'e room until it reaches the vicinity of roomthermostat 35,w'hereupon this thermostat will be satisfied and thecircuit will be closed. It will be understood, of course, that thetemperature of radiator 3 will be suillciently high to hold thermostat40 closed. Current will then flow through the circuit and energizeresistance coil 25 to cause the vapor motor to expand and close valvemember2 Fan 4, continuing to operate, will continue to blow a cold blastof air through ventilator opening 2 and chill radiator 3.v When thetemperature of radiator 3 drops, say below 130 Fahr., as by exampleonly,

the thermostat 40 will immediately open the circuit and cause motor I2to open valve member 2|. The heating medium will again ilow throughradiator 3 to raise its temperature. This action will occurnotwithstanding the fact that room thermostat 35 has not yet acted toopen the circuit by av drop in room temperature. Thus the temperature ofradiator 3 is maintained above a predetermined degree to prevent itscooling and thus prevent the cold blast of air furnished by fan 4 toenter the room unheated. .Radiator thermostat 40 may act to open andclose the circuit a number of times to maintain the temperature ofradiator 3 at a point just sufficient to heat the cold blast of airentering ventilator opening 2 and prevent undesirable chilling 'of theroom in the vicinity of this ventilator before room thermostat 35 isinfluenced sufllciently to call for heat by a drop of room temperaturein its vicinity.'

It will be noted, therefore, that thermostats 35 and 40 advantageouslyfunction to balance the temperaturev of the air at opposite ends of theroom'to obtain a relatively uniform temperature therein at all times. Itis foundl that the present system may be advantageously employed inpassenger coaches of railroads where individuals may be compelled to sitin the direct path of the fresh air entering `ventilator opening 2. Itwill be quite apparent that these individuals would be inconvenienced ifthis air entering the ventilator opening 2 were not heated during theinterval the room thermostat awaits a drop in temperature in itsvicinity.

It will be understood, however, that the invention may be used anywherewhere it is desirable to provide uniform room temperature.`

It will be further understood that it is unnecessary to employ thespecic' form of thermostats and motors shown, inasmuch as thethermostats may open the circuit upon a rise of temperature and mayclose the circuit upon a drop of temperature to operate'the motor,as'will' be well understood to those skilled in the art.

By the term fresh air, it will be understood that I intend including airnot necessarily taken directly into the building, but also air which maybe recirculated, the main purpose of the invention being to control thetemperature of air passing through the radiator, or, on the other hand,to

control the temperature of air being circulated. in the room and bymeans of the thermostatic tures which may properly be said to constitutethe essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to bedened and secured to me by the following calims.

I claim:

l. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator, asource of heating medium for said radiator and a valve for controllingthe ow of the heating medium, of an electric' circuit having meanstherein for operating said valve, a thermostat connected in said circuitand adapted to be influenced by the temperature of the room to beheated, and a second thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted tobe influenced by the temperature of said radiator, said secondthermostat controlling said circuit after the room thermostat has beens`atised whereby said operating means will actuate said valve tomaintain said radiator above a predetermined temperature.

4 2. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator, asource of heating medium for said radiator and a valve for controllingthe ow of the heating medium, of an electric circuit having a motortherein for operating said valve, a thermostat connected in said circuitand adapted to be influenced by the temperature of the room to beheated, said thermostat closing said circuit upon a rise of roomtemperature to operate said motor and to close said valve and a secondthermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by thetemperature of said radiator, said second thermostat opening saidcircuit upon a drop in temperature at said ra- 7 diator below apredetermined degree to cause said motor to' open said valve.

3. In an air conditioning system, the Icombination with a radiator and aduct for admitting air through said radiator to a room, a source ofheating medium for said radiator, and a valve for controlling the ilowof the heating medium'to said radiator, of electrically operated meansfor actu- 'ating said valve, an electric circuit therefor, a

thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by thetemperature vof the yroom at a point remote from the location of saidradiator Afor controlling said valve actuating means, and a secondthermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by thetemperature of said radiator, said second thermostat operating Y saidvalve actuating means upon cooling of said radiator below apredeterminedtemperature by the air entering said duct while said roomthermostat remains satisfied.

4. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator and aduct for admitting airthrough said radiator to a room, of means forheating said radiator, and means to control said heating means tomaintain the room at a relatively uniform temperature includingthermostatically controlled means adapted to be influenced by thetemperature of said radiator and by the temperature of the room at adistance remote l from said radiator, said control means continuingelectrically operated means for controlling the circulation of said heatconducting medium, and two independent thermostatically controlleddevices adapted to be inuenced by the temperature of said radiator andby the temperature of the room at a distance remote from said radiator,one of said thermostatically controlled devices continuing to beinfluenced by the temperature of said radiator after the roomtemperature has been satisfied whereby to maintain the radiator at apredetermined temperature.

6. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator and aduct for admitting air through said radiator to a room, of asource ofheating medium for said radiator, a valve for controlling the flow ofsaid heating medium, an electrically operated motor adapted to open thevalve when-the circuit is broken, a thermostat influenced bythetemperature of the room to be heated for closing the circuit and saidvalve when the room temperature rises above a predetermined degree, anda second thermostat iniiuenced by the temperature of said radiator foropening the circuit and said valve upon lowering of the radiatortemperature below a predetermined degree whereby to prevent chilling ofthe room adjacent said radiator by the air entering through said duct.

7. In an air conditioning system, the combina-l tion with a radiator anda duct for furnishingl forced drafts of air through said radiator to aroom to be heated, of means for circulating a heat conducting mediumthrough said radiator, a room thermostat for discontinuing thecirculation of said heat conducting medium through said radiator whensaid room thermostat is satisfied by a predetermined room temperature,and a l second thermostat influenced by the temperature of said radiatorfor continuing the circulation of said heat conducting medium throughsaid radi- A ator whereby to prevent cold blasts of airy from loweringthe temperature of said radiator and chilling the room within theimmediate vicinity of said radiator during the time said room thermostatremains satisfied.

8. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a heating devicefor a room to be heated, a source of heat, and electrically operatedmeans for controlling4 said source, of a pair of thermostats, and acircuit in which said thermostats and said electrically operated meansare connected for controlling said electrically operated means,l one ofsaid thermostats being located in said room adjacent to and influencedby the temperature of said heating device whereby to actuate saidelectrically operated means and continue the heat at said heating devicewhen the temperature thereof lowers below a predetermined degree, theother thermostat also being located in said room at a point remote ltosaid heating device and said first thermostat for actuating saidelectrically operated means and discontinuing the heat supply at saidvariations of temperature conditions of ,said heat-V ing device formaintaining vsaid heating device at a predetermined temperature bycontrolling the heat supply thereto after said first thermostat hasactuated said electrically operated means to discontinue the heat supplyto said heating device.

l 10. In an air conditioning system, the combina- 5 tion with a radiatorfor heating a room and a duct for admitting air to be heated throughsaid radiator to said room, a heat conducting medium for said radiator,means to control the ow of. said heat conducting medium through saidradiator, a

thermostat responsive to the temperature of the room for controllingsaid heat control means, and means to prevent relatively cold blasts of'air entering the room through said radiator while said thermostat issatised comprising a second thermostat responsive to the temperature ofsaid radiator for independently operating said heat control means toprovide a ow of said heat conducting medium through said radiator tomaintain said radiator above a predetermined temperature.

11. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator forheating a room and a duct for admitting air to be heated through saidradiator to said room, a heat conducting medium for said radiator,electrically operated means to control the ow of said heat conductingmedium, a

` said electrically operated means, said second thermostat actuatingsaid electrically operable means to continue the ow of said heatconducting medium to said radiator if the air passing through saidradiator` should lower the temperature and permit cold blasts of air toenter the room at said radiator while said room thermostat is satisfied.v

12. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiatorformed of a series of spaced tubes between which air is passed to beheated into a room, an intake pipe connected to said radiator, a heatconducting medium adapted to be circulated through said pipe and saidradiator tubes, a valve for controlling the circulation of said heatconducting medium, electrically operated means for opening and closingsaid valve, and two thermostats, one responsive to the temperature ofthe room and the other responsive to the temperature at said radiator,said thermostats operating to open said va-lve when the temperaturedrops below predetermined low limits either in said room or at saidradiator, the radiator thermostat opening said valve only when said roomthermostat is satisiied and if the temperature of said radiator drops topermit unheated air to enter the room.

J 0HN s. BAKER.

